Why don't older women look good with long hair?

[RitaZ.]

Long hair is associated with youth. The condition of the hair definitely matters. I have seen some older women with hair past their shoulders who looked great. The problem with really long and straight hair is that it drags down your face, which really accentuates what nature is already doing to it.

I'm 46 and my hair is a tiny bit past my shoulders. It's layered and in good condition. The days of really long hair are over for me. It all comes down to what a woman likes and wants, but the style should be flattering to the aging face.

My SIL is in her late 50's and has had long hair down to her lower back. I think it made her look older. She had it cut to shoulder length and she looks way better.

I will refrain from saying what I think about long hair that is over-processed, frizzy and damaged. That's not a flattering look on anyone.

 

[mom2boys]

NEWS FLASH:

It's not her hair that makes her look dreadful...

 

[Poohbug]

Hey! My Grandma had long hair.

I guess I never thought about it but she always had long hair. It was not even all grey. I thought she looked good.

Most older women I know do have short hair but I do know one with long hair. It is beautiful. Long, wavy, and snow white. I think she looks great.

 

[ilovepcot]

I've always been told the reason older women can't pull off long hair is because it gives the illusion of pulling the facial features down which ages one's face. If you see a "before" and "after" pic of this demonstrated, it's very apparent.

 

[Mrs.Toad]

Have I told you lately how sexy your forehead is?

 

[AustinTink]

I'm not sure how I'd feel if anyone had the nerve to tell me that because I'm 56, I automatically fall into the category of "must wear short hair or look like crap".

... "and grasping at youth"... don't forget that one, too. Honestly, it makes me laugh. Why do women feel like they need to be less feminine when they reach a certain age? Like they feel they don't deserve it anymore.

Like you, I have very thick hair. Mine falls just above my bra strap. I color it every 4 weeks and keep my layers freshened. I get compliments on my hair every few days. It's thick with a bit of wave and lots of bounce. I have tons of flaws on my body that I'd like to cut off or cover up, but my hair is not one of them.

 

[Buckalew11]

I just cut mine. I think it looks healthier, shinier and *lifts* my face. I felt like I looked so much older with my hair even just down to my shoulders.

I think most of my older clients look younger with shoulder length hair or shorter. JMO.

And I do not care if you are 25 or 55 or 85, style it. Ponytails or straight hair that just hangs does nothing for 99.9% of females.

(Ponytails are fine unless it is what you "do" with your hair. If you style is a ponytail, you need a makeover. )

Oh and while I'm ranting...Use the nozzle on your blowdryers.

 

[kirstenb1]

When I was in college, I worked in a grocery store in a well to do beach town in Southern CA. We had a regular customer that I would see often who was GORGEOUS. She was probably in her mid 60s, and had grey hair just past her shoulders. She always looked...elegant. I know most older women, especially if their hair is grey, can't "pull off" longer hair--but she sure could!

I think the average woman shouldn't have long hair past a certain age. But some women truly look fabulous with shoulder length or a little longer hair no matter what their age. Unfortunately, my hair has thinned so badly that I've had it short for years.

 

[Buckalew11]

... "and grasping at youth"... don't forget that one, too. Honestly, it makes me laugh. Why do women feel like they need to be less feminine when they reach a certain age? Like they feel they don't deserve it anymore.

Like you, I have very thick hair. Mine falls just above my bra strap. I color it every 4 weeks and keep my layers freshened. I get compliments on my hair every few days. It's thick with a bit of wave and lots of bounce. I have tons of flaws on my body that I'd like to cut off or cover up, but my hair is not one of them.

Short(er) hair makes a woman feel less feminine? Deserve what? To *feel* feminine?

I've just got to say that being feminine or feeling feminine does NOT come from the length of one's hair. I've had my hair every length from down to my butt to a super short style and I never did not feel feminine. I could shave my head and still *feel* feminine.

 

[DeaverTex]

Mrs. Tex is just a tad over 50 (just like me!) and her hair is a little longer than mine. Of course, mine is at the middle of my shoulder blades. (What there is of it -- it's getting thinner dang it.) I LOVE her long hair, and I love playing with it...


...excuse me, I got distracted there for a second!

I think older women look just fine with long hair as long as they take care of it. If they let it get ratty or straggly, well... it wouldn't look any better short then, would it?

 

[njmom47]

Have I told you lately how sexy your forehead is?

Isn't that a fivehead? Sorry, bad joke.
Anyway, I am over 50 and have shoulder-length hair; I'ts wavy so I can scrunch it or straighten it. I'm also tall and plus sized and feel if my hair was short I would NOT be comfortable with myself...I would look like a qtip or something weird. So as long as my hair looks ok this way, I will keep it.

 

[Keli]

Hey, I wear my long hair down a lot. I'll never cut it but I might start wearing it up as I age, depends on whether I still like to wear it down or not

 

[Tuffcookie]

I'm 58 and my hair is even longer now than it was when my signature picture was taken. I was always under the impression longer hair was harder to do anything with. However, I'm finding it quite the opposite. All I do is wash & blow dry. When it was shorter I had to wash, dry, and use hot rollers. (My hair is thick & straight as a nail)

TC

 

[MickeySP]

....you. are. SUCH. a. troll


















[...I'M over 50 AND have long hair.....]

I saw a recent pic of Hilary Clinton with her long hair and she looks dreadful

First Hilary is such a disaster please do not even equate her with the female sex

I cut my hair short at 45 because I ran the Goofy M plus the 5K on Friday before so troll - hair ain't what guys look for Well unless you are really shallow.

 

[Conservative Hippie]

I just cut mine. I think it looks healthier, shinier and *lifts* my face. I felt like I looked so much older with my hair even just down to my shoulders.

I think most of my older clients look younger with shoulder length hair or shorter. JMO.

And I do not care if you are 25 or 55 or 85, style it. Ponytails or straight hair that just hangs does nothing for 99.9% of females.

(Ponytails are fine unless it is what you "do" with your hair. If you style is a ponytail, you need a makeover. )

Oh and while I'm ranting...Use the nozzle on your blowdryers.

My style is a ponytail! Or my (straightened) hair just hangs there.

My hair is thin and frizzy, and goes down to my waist. I straighten it after every wash and it has absolutely no body unless I spray like crazy with a volumizing spray. I tried short (shoulder-length) hair right after college and I hated it. But, my hair has never been chemically processed, and I don't blow-dry so the straightener is the only heat I use, so it is very healthy. I am due for a trim though! I would love someone to give me a hair cut that suits me and show me what to do (low maintenance)!

 

[tvguy]

I think people should keep their hair however they want. I have never understood the you hit a certain age and should cut your short way of thinking.

I agree......however.....Dyan Canon is 74 in this picture and kind of shatters the "no long hair on older women" argument.

 

[tvguy]

I saw a recent pic of Hilary Clinton with her long hair and she looks dreadful

Well, yes, and no. She did look dreadful, but her hair looked good.
But the picture in today's LA Times shows her with short hair again.

 

[low-key]

I think shorter hair is a sexier look on older women, but ya gotta be yourself

 

[low-key]

I agree......however.....Dyan Canon is 74 in this picture and kind of shatters the "no long hair on older women" argument.

oh please, giant glasses and a pound of make up, and a lens nt to close to her face, but ya could tell an old grandma is under that stuff (probably a wig also)

 

[Feralpeg]

Well, I'll be 60 in February. I wore my hair long from the time I was 12 years old until I turned 50. At that time, my hair starting to turn grey. I can't color it because I have a reaction to the hair dye. So, I am slowly turning more and more to a silver look.

While I'd like to say that I look the same as I did years ago, it's not true. Gravity is starting to take effect. Somehow, having long hair just seems to accentuate the elongated look.

But, the main reason I keep my hair short is because I live in a very warm climate. It is just so much easier and, I admit it. I'm lazy and short hair just seems to be me.